6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Great will be his authority, and there shall be endless peacefor the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold itwith justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” Isaiah 9:6-7.
This is the half-way point through Advent, the third Sunday, and we have one of the most beloved texts of all time. In this book, Isaiah is speaking to people living in three time periods: before the Babylonian exile, during the Babylonian exile, and after the Babylonian exile. In chapter 9, Isaiah is speaking to the southern kingdom of Israel (Judah) before the Babylonian exile. Israel and Syria are pressuring Judah to form a coalition against Assyria. Ahaz, the king of Judah, is afraid to go against Assyria, so he sends a king's ransom to Assyria asking for their help.
Isaiah spoke into a situation where Judah felt powerless, and they were afraid of the rulers to their north. As their enemies only seemed to grow in strength and tighten their grasp, they didn’t know if God was for them or against them or if he had simply abandoned them. And among Isaiah’s prophecies about their future defeat, exile, and return, he included two prophetic visions of a child who would represent God’s presence, embody his characteristics, and bear the responsibility of governing his people.
Two chapters before Isaiah says “For unto us a child is born,” he prophesied the birth child whose name would signify the presence of God:
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son
and shall name him Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey
by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good.
16 For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted”
Isaiah 7:14-16.
Immanuel means “God with us.” Like Isaiah 9:6, this verse was later believed to be a prophecy about Jesus. In fact, the Gospel of Matthew quotes this passage in 1:23 as it recounts the story of Jesus’ birth.
This prophecy is an encouragement that God is indeed on Judah’s side, and an assurance that by the time this child is grown, Assyria and Syria will be defeated.
Take time today to consider the truth and meaning to the words, “God Is With Us” — or the name Emmanuel. What does it mean to you that God is always with you?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalm 16:11.
“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”
Exodus 33:14.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth”
Psalm 145:18.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me”
Revelation 3:20.
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